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Detroit 2008: Jeep Renegade diesel RE-EV

Click the Jeep Renegade for a high-res galleryWhile the current small Jeeps - the Compass and Patriot - are no great shakes, the off-road icon has created a concept that really jump-starts the brand's green image. The Renegade is a small B-class sized open-air two-seater designed to maintain Jeep's off-road credentials. The power-train however is something unlike any other Jeep. A pair of 268 electric motors power each axle of the vehicle. In keeping with Jeep's Trail Rated image, the each motor has a step down low-range gear available along with locking differentials.

A 16kWh lithium ion battery pack can propel the Renegade for up to forty miles. At that point, a 1.5L three cylinder diesel engine kicks in to drive a generator that charges the battery pack. The 115hp diesel is equipped with BlueTec emissions control system to clean up the NOx and particulate emissions. With 10 gallons of diesel in the fuel tank, the Renegade has an estimated range of 400 miles although Chrysler also quotes combined fuel economy of 110mpg. Presumably the 40 mpg range is based a single plug-in charge and continuous driving to empty. The 110mpg is probably based on a more typical shorter range driving cycle and includes several charges.

A B-segment Jeep® concept vehicle, the Renegade is a sporty, "minimized" two-seater ideally suited for the all-weather fun of dune-surfing or rock-crawling.

"With an electric motor powering each axle, the Jeep Renegade concept is designed for a 'hang on and have fun experience,'" said Tony Shamenkov, Jeep Renegade concept principal exterior designer.

Constructed of environmentally responsible materials, sustainability is a key theme of the Jeep Renegade concept.

Renegade is targeted at customers in the "Stylish Green" segment of the marketplace – those who are extremely environmentally oriented, appreciate high-tech and innovation, and enjoy performance combined with style in keeping with their "green" attitude.

Renegade's BLUETEC diesel engine generates an additional 115 horsepower when needed, while greatly reducing exhaust emissions when compared to standard gasoline engines. Renegade is capable of achieving an equivalent petroleum fuel economy of 110 miles per gallon, which is four-to-five times greater than an equivalent gasoline-only vehicle.

The Jeep Renegade concept's "one-with-nature" personality is emphasized by its large, flaring wheel openings, oversized wheels and tires, and cut-down speedster windshield -- all of which combine to deliver on the Renegade's promise of cross-country fun and agility.

Among the unique exterior details are "deconstructed" rubber-clad headlamps and taillamps, as well as just-for-fun elongated triangular openings in each of the two sculpted doors.

While the Renegade features a roll bar, it has no top. Instead, the cargo deck just behind the cockpit can be fitted with a variety of "lids." Options include a plain lid, or lids configured to accommodate the gear of a particular outdoor day-trip activity, such as mountain biking or kayaking. Or it can come "as built" -- with formations designed to accommodate two matching water scooters with open storage underneath. Fluid-fill caps, a plug-in port and a first-aid kit are also included.

Jeep Renegade Concept Interior

Sustainability – a ratio between the energy needed to build and ship the vehicle as compared with the impact these processes have on the environment – is a key focus of the Jeep Renegade concept's interior design.

Materials used in constructing the Jeep Renegade concept were deliberately selected to be environmentally responsible, both in manufacture and end-of-vehicle-life recyclability.

Innovative construction includes one-piece molded soy-based foam seats and doors, a one-piece co-molded instrument panel with a urethane skin, a co-molded aluminum/silicone steering wheel, a one-piece molded chassis created without using environmentally-harmful resins, and a one-piece molded interior compartment "tub." This environmental care in designing the Renegade's interior is aligned with Jeep's "harmony with nature" philosophy.

"The Jeep Renegade concept's interior - actually the entire vehicle - is designed to minimize the number of parts necessary for assembly and function," said Scott Anderson, principal interior designer of the Renegade concept. "We designed the Renegade with an eye toward simplification of systems, both in parts and processes."

The HVAC system, for example, is not coolant-based, while the color, grain and gloss of the interior parts are molded in one piece. Even the no-gloss exterior color of the Renegade's lightweight composite body is molded in to avoid the use of solvents present in automotive paints.

The dual-cockpit instrument panel is symmetrically balanced for easy "plug and play" left-hand drive and right-hand drive applications. There is no conventional wiring. Instead, the instrument panel features wireless electronics in sealed, self-contained units, removable by the customer. The panel is built about an exposed cross-car beam containing an integrated power strip, and on the passenger side, yaw, pitch and roll indicators (also built into the fluid-fill gauges). The instrument panel itself is hollow, allowing ample open storage below the beam. Separately-configured impact-absorbing vinyl-wrapped knee-blockers "float" beneath the cross-car beam.

The thin multi-plane acrylic instrument cluster mounts to the steering column, while the similar but separate center control screen mounts on a swivel base -- providing easy access to both occupants.

Located at the intersection of the steering wheel's T-shaped spokes, the circular LED screen rotates, allowing the driver to select the drive mode, while a flattened rim provides roomier thigh clearance. A driver air bag is concealed beneath the screen. Red or green translucent shift buttons allow Park, Reverse or Drive selections.

The Renegade's contoured, figure-form seats -- covered in scuba-like waterproof materials that are both soft-touch and flexible -- feature in-seat belts and unusual, hollow, lightweight upside-down "U-shaped" headrests. The seats feature a urethane skin with soy-based foam co-molded with a composite substructure. The integral seatbelts, along with slender accent strips on the seats and instrument panel, repeat the Palm Metallic exterior color.

A "thermal unit" in the center console plugs into the electrical battery pack, permitting food to be either heated or cooled.

"Inspired by the simplicity and functionality of scuba diving gear, we wanted the interior of the Jeep Renegade concept to be weather-tight and durable," Anderson said.

The Renegade's wireless interior is designed to be hosed down. It features a drain in the floor, while the formations built into the floor mat are designed to channel water to the opening. Hollow-section billet-formed pedals float above the tub floor.

Fun, functional and fabricated from recyclable materials, the Jeep Renegade concept offers agile, capable performance without sacrificing the environment its drivers seek to explore. Keeping with Jeep owners' desire to use their vehicles as an extension of their active lives, the Jeep Renegade concept promotes enjoyment of the good things of the earth while taking care of its future.

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Anonymous

Anonymous

3 Months Ago

Personally, I'm not particularly attracted to the styling of this vehicle, but I give them an absolute A+ in the technology category. I sincerely hope they are working on EV range extender platforms (like the Chevy Volt), and introduce them soon, before time and patience runs out at Cerberus.

I would like to see a Grand Cherokee with this technology applied. Even with a shorter all electric range which I would presume to be the case with the GC being heavier, say it would get a combined mileage of 60 mpg (guessing)...they wouldn't be able to make them fast enough!

Anonymous

3 Months Ago

I own two Jeep Cherokees, a '92 and a '99. Great vehicles. Mistake to stop making them. The '99 averages 20 mpg. What I want is a Wrangler Unlimited (it's reminiscent of the classic mid-70's Toyota Landcruiser Wagon) that gets 40 mpg and doesn't cost 40 thousand dollars. I know it can be done. With fuel prices rising 20% a year, US automakers better get serious, real fast, about making driving affordable, or prepare to go bye bye.

You know they won't be available here until their European and Asian competitors come to the market with something cooler, cheaper, greener, and with better range and economy. It is very, very late in this game for Chrysler, and these cars need to be in the showrooms now for their survival. Where are they? The market just won't wait any longer for empty promises. I can understand why Chrysler doesn't like the blogs. We tell the truth and it's not what Chrysler wants to hear.

Anonymous

3 Months Ago

OOB-

I don't agree that the "spirit" of the Jeep means it can't be aerodynamic. Classic style yes, but for me the spirit is about simplicity, capability, and performance. No carpet, no top if you can help it, kind of the stripped down sports car of the SUV world. Function over everything else. They wound up looking cool by accident as far as I am concerned.

BTW I mis-typed earlier, I meant they SHOULD drop weight, and fix the aero.

Anonymous

3 Months Ago

It's amazing how Detroit gets us to salivate with these specs and concept designs and then never gets them to production. Of all the green wheels on display the Renegade seems like what I'd trade my gas clunker for. Are the powers that be listening? I somehow doubt it. One thing I do know though. My next trade in will be for a 100+ MPG EV Plug in ONLY. I think America must get it's ducks in a row and shun OPEC altogether.

Anonymous

7 Years Ago

I like this a lot. Unfortunately Jeep has a poor record of making their concepts in to reality. I am still waiting for the small Willys concept from 6 years ago. Same for the Eco Jeep concept from a few years back. I would like this even with just the small diesel.